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Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Dynamic Adhesion Assay for the Functional Analysis of Anti-adhesion Therapies in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Published on: September 20, 2018
The vitamin D positive feedback hypothesis of inflammatory bowel diseases
Z Linneman1, C Reis1, K Balaji2
1Biology Department, Washington University, United States.
Abstract:
While it appears that there are a variety of factors that exacerbate IBD, it is frustrating that symptoms can persist and worsen even when environmental insults are removed. We suggest that there may be a positive feedback loop which perpetuates the inflammatory response in IBD patients. The loop is triggered by vitamin D deficiency which reduces calcium uptake. Lowered vitamin D and calcium interfere with anti-inflammatory pathways. Inflammation of the mucosa inhibits absorption of calcium and thus perpetuates the reduced anti-inflammatory response. A number of predictions follow from this hypothesis and are supported by geographic and lifestyle patterns in IBD incidence and prevalence.
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